Healthcare Support Workers

Our Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan sets out our Vision, Ambitions and Values that enable excellent care for our patients and service users. It also demonstrates what you can expect from our organisation and what you can aspire to in your own career development. A collaborative, person focused approach is at the very centre of everything we aspire to achieve, and necessary to deliver care that is high quality, compassionate, safe and effective. We continue to work towards having a diverse and inclusive culture for people who work for us and use our services. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to supporting the development of a nursing and midwifery workforce that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We are interested in your passion for developing with us as a leader as well as demonstrating alignment with the values and ambitions set out in our Strategic Plan. We are committed to providing the strong foundations of clinical education with our Clinical Education and Training team, our education co-ordinators, robust induction programmes and preceptorship as well as working with you to build on your leadership strengths.

A link to the NHS Lothian Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan can be found via the following link: https://services.nhslothian.scot/nursingandmidwifery/strategic-plan-2023-2028/

Recruitment process – We use a values and competency based recruitment process that is linked to the ambitions set our in our Strategic Plan. Click the link below for more information on our interview questions:

How to Apply – NHS Lothian Careers

NHS Lothian provide a Generic Recruitment process, no need for multiple applications or interviews. We accept one application, you will have one interview and there will be one decision, with your skills, experience and choice being matched to one of our vacancies.

NHS Lothian are recruiting Healthcare Support Workers and have opportunities available at Band 3 and Trainee Band 3 levels.

NHS Lothian provide a Generic Recruitment process, no need for multiple applications or interviews. We accept one application, you will have one interview and there will be one decision, with your skills, experience and preference choice being taken into consideration to match to one of our vacancies.

We are looking for passionate, enthusiastic, and motivated individuals who put patients first and who will work within our values. By joining our friendly and supportive teams, NHS Lothian will provide you with the opportunity to gain a wide range of transferrable skills and experience.

Band 3 Trainee Healthcare Support worker

This role is not an entry level role, and some relevant experience is required. You will be paid at a Band 2 level, while undertaking educational and clinical competencies to enable you to take on the full range of duties within the Band 3 Job descriptions. Following successful completion of the training program you will progress into the Band 3 pay scale, ideally within 9-12 months of starting.

Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker

This role is suitable for someone with experience in healthcare and/or has attained SCQF level 6/7 in a health care related subject. This role encompasses the full duties within the Band 3 Job Description.

Current Vacancies

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - Ward 108, Orthopaedic Trauma (33 Hours)

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - Acute Medical Unit (23 Hours)

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - Ward 109, Orthopaedics (19 Hours)

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - Ward 207, General Medicine ( 28 Hours)

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - Anne Rowling Clinic, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (30 hours)

Royal Infirmary Edinburgh - Ward 230, DCN Surgery

St Johns Hospital - Ward 9, Acute Medicine

St Johns Hospital - Ward 14, Orthopaedic Rehab (Full-time and Part-time)

St Johns Hospital - Ward 19a, Ear, Nose and Throat

Western General Hospital - Ward 72 Acute Medical Unit

Western General Hospital - Ward 74, Infectious Disease (34 Hours)

Western General Hospital - Ward 58, High Dependency Unit

Royal Infirmary Edinburgh - Monitoring Clinic Outpatients (36 Hours)

Lauriston Building - Ear, Neck and Throat Outpatients (29 hours)

Western General Hospital - Main Theatres

St Johns Hospital - Day Surgery

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Paediatric Respite and Residential Service- Sunndach House, Respite and Residential (fixed term - 1 year)

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Outreach Service, Calareidh

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People - Paediatric Critical Care

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People - Castle Mey PARU (25 hours)

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People - Outpatients

East Lothian Partnership - District Nursing (Dunbar / Haddington) (various part time)

East Lothian Partnership - East Lothian Community Hospital (Various Wards)

Edinburgh Partnership - Ward 2, Ellen's Glen Hospital

Edinburgh Partnership - Community District Nursing, Hospital to Home

Edinburgh Partnership - Community District Nursing (South East, Fixed Term 12 months)

Edinburgh Partnership - Community Mental Health Team (Southwest)

Edinburgh Partnership - Mental Health Substance Misuse (Northeast)

Edinburgh Partnership - Ward 1(Mental Health) Ferryfield House (22.5 hours)

Midlothian Partnership - Adults with Complex Exceptional Needs (Pan Lothian) (full time and 20 hours)

Midlothian Partnership - Midlothian Community Hospital, Edenview Ward

Midlothian Partnership - Intensive Home Treatment Team (IHTT), No 11 St Andrews Street

Royal Edinburgh Hospital - Islay Centre (full time and part time/ permanent and fixed term, 12 months)

West Lothian Partnership - District Nursing (Various Areas, full and part-time 20 hours)

West Lothian Partnership - REACT Care Team (30 hours)

St Johns Hospital - Ward 17, Adult Mental Health

St Johns Hospital - Ward 3, Older People Mental Health

Please note that the list is subject to constant change. When completing the online application form please note if you have an area of preference.

For more information on the vacancies available, please see the attached flyers below with contact details for the clinical areas.

If you would like to have an informal, visit or have a tour of any of our areas, please email the Generic Recruitment Team, who will be able to help arrange this for you: loth.genericrecruitment@nhs.scot

For more information on NHS Lothian careers please visit our careers website : https://careers.nhslothian.scot/nursing-and-midwifery/

If you are an internal NHS Lothian Band 3 candidate we will not proceed with shortlisting and interview and instead you will move to our internal transfer process. To find out more about the internal transfer process, please click on the link below:

Internal recruitment application process for nursing vacancies (scot.nhs.uk)

If you would like to arrange a careers conversation to discuss your career, career pathways and opportunities within NHS Lothian please click on the link below:

Career Conversations (scot.nhs.uk)

Please note that we anticipate that the interviews for this advert will take place on 03/03/2026 at the Comely Bank Centre in Edinburgh.

Find out what our staff say about working in NHS Lothian at: https://careers.nhslothian.scot/acute-specialist-nurses/who-we-are/

**Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage**

Please also note that due to a high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool

Please note that this advert is for substantive posts only and not the staff bank.